There are silver items in almost every home. They are popular among the population for one simple reason - affordable price. Products made from this precious metal attract with their sophistication and cold nobility; they are able to emphasize individuality and delight with their attractive appearance.
In addition to jewelry, cutlery, chandeliers, and various dishes are made from silver. But over time, you can notice how the color of the metal changes - for some reason it begins to darken. And jewelry loses its zest and former charm.
An unpleasant coating that resembles artificial blackening makes one wonder: why did the silver darken on the body and what could this be connected with?
Reasons why silver darkens
There are many versions of what can cause an alloy to darken. Popular beliefs say that blackened silver is a sign of trouble. Someone could damage or put the evil eye on a person. And as soon as the damage loses its power, the natural color will return. The story tells of the secret power of this alloy, which protects from harm and takes the full blow upon itself. Medicine, in turn, says that the reason lies in human health, and the darkening occurs through certain chemical processes interacting with bacteria. Science sees the reason in the presence of sulfur, from which silver comes into contact. Let's take a closer look at the real reasons why silver darkens.
Superstitions
If the cross on the neck has darkened, it means someone has caused damage or a curse. The stronger the darkening, the more powerful the spells. You need to monitor the color of the decoration, as soon as it becomes natural, everything falls into place and the damage is removed. According to legend, you can feel how life loses its colors, everything becomes gray and ordinary. Someone's presence is felt for no reason. Silver items take the blow and protect their owner, which is why they turn black. Under such circumstances, the question of how to bleach silver is not even close.
Before all that has been said, it should be added that a person who experiences such symptoms is most likely depressed. There is no need for silver here, it’s just a coincidence. Metal doesn't care what anyone thinks about its owner. And all the stories that for some reason our people still believe in come from paganism. People still can't refuse. And this despite the fact that everyone goes to church and considers themselves Christians. It's a pity when faith in superstitions is stronger than in God.
Health problems
This reason can be attributed to folk knowledge. The bottom line is this: darkened silver indicates poor health. This symptom was noticed a long time ago, and partly the disease may actually be related. The bottom line is that the body constantly produces sweat. In winter it is practically invisible, but in summer there is a lot of it. During illness, sweating increases significantly, especially when the temperature rises. Sweat contains particles of sulfur, which when in contact with silver causes blackening. This is not mysticism, but an ordinary chemical process.
One might think, if sweat is constantly released, why did the silver cross turn black on the body during illness? The reason is that during this period there is profuse sweating. On other days it also affects, but more slowly, so the darkening occurs gradually. Does this mean that the body is to blame? No, sulfur and oxygen are more likely to blame.
The science
In fact, the reasons for the darkening of silver are understandable and do not contain any mysticism. Under the influence of oxygen, the metal enters into a chemical reaction with sulfur-containing compounds. This process is also called oxidation. The color of the surface changes due to the dark layer of silver sulfide formed as a result of the reactions.
Products can darken not only on humans. Hydrogen sulfide is often found in the air itself. But the most common cause is interaction with sweat.
Jewelry turns black on the body
This phenomenon is observed quite often. The silver chain turns black on the neck because there are many sweat glands in this place, and the darkening of the chain may indicate changes in the body at the hormonal level. The owner of the jewelry needs to be tested for hormones .
Products darken after using a new body care cream. Experts advise removing rings and chains when performing cosmetic procedures.
The cause may also be changes in room temperature or air humidity. Sometimes the product cleaner causes a reaction. Silver can turn black from contact with household chemicals, as well as foods: onions, raw eggs, salt.
What enhances the oxidation of silver
Oxidation can occur gradually, not even noticeably at first. But at the same time, there are factors that can speed up the process significantly. Knowing them, you can avoid problems and maintain the presentable appearance of your jewelry.
Low purity and impurities
Premature darkening can occur due to the silver not matching the stated standard. In other words, the alloy is defective. Each sample has a specific recipe according to which it is made. If there is more metal in the alloy than required, then the silver is not of high quality.
Another reason is low sample. Jewelry is almost always made from 925 sterling silver. Therefore, they are less prone to blackening. Cutlery 875, they contain more copper and, accordingly, the tendency to discoloration is increased.
To protect manufacturers, it is worth adding that silver without impurities will not have strength and easily loses its shape. Therefore, it is necessary to make an alloy from different metals.
Increased air humidity
You can see that when it rains, takes a shower, goes to the pool or sauna, silver darkens faster. This is due to the fact that the body sweats, and the sweat itself evaporates much more slowly. There is already enough humidity in the air. Therefore, the number of sera on the body is growing, to which the pectoral cross and other silver items quickly respond.
It is worth adding that in addition to black, the alloy can also acquire a light color. This occurs due to nitrates present in the skin. The decomposition process of silver sulfide predominantly takes place at low humidity.
Watch yourself
If suddenly your damaged silver jewelry bothers you with the following symptoms:
- Frequent colds
- Fatigue
- Headache
- General ailments in the body, then you should give this importance and consult a doctor, and not specialists in getting rid of damage. Since this may indicate the presence of a disease in the body, either being in a state of constant stress, or the presence of a disease of excessive sweating, hyperhidrosis.
How and with what to clean?
The good news is that you can clean the blackness from silver at home. But it is better not to do this with expensive products and precious stones. In this case, it is better to take it to a good jewelry workshop.
Cleaning products
Silver also comes in different types. Depending on them, the cleaning method is chosen. Jewelry stores offer a large selection of various preparations for cleaning all popular types of precious metals. There you can consult and buy suitable products. The only caveat is, do not try to clean blackened silver, entrust this to a master. It can quickly lose its appearance through a peeling surface. Most likely, you have matte silver; you need to clean it carefully, as you can damage the surface.
Folk recipes
Tooth powder and paste are highly effective. Look what you have in your home. You need to be very careful with the powder so as not to scratch the surface. Apply a small amount of it to a soft damp cloth and clean with gentle movements. Attention, toothpaste is aggressive for the soft surface of silver, so be careful.
Ammonia will quickly get rid of blackness. To do this, the item must be completely lowered inside for a short time, removed and wiped with a damp cloth.
Another way is as follows: add 2 tablespoons of ammonia per liter of water. To enhance it, you can add a little hydrogen peroxide or soap. Immerse the item for 10-20 minutes, after the procedure it will be much easier to clean.
If you just need to wash off black deposits, you can make a soap solution. To obtain it, soap shavings are dissolved in warm water. You can even immerse silver overnight.
Why did the silver chain turn black: the opinion of esotericists and magicians
Since ancient times, magical properties have been attributed to this metal. In the past, silver was used to make jewelry and amulets to ward off evil spirits. It was believed that this metal protects against negative energy, and if the chain turns black, this indicates the appearance of evil spirits and a negative aura near you.
- Precursors of the disease.
There is a belief that if a person falls ill, without even noticing it, the metal of the jewelry begins to fade and darken. Thus, the silver chain seems to warn its owner about the emerging pathology in his body. The thing turned black because it reacted with the patient’s skin and was imbued with his negative energy.
How to prevent tarnishing of silver
It is impossible to permanently rid silver of black plaque. This is his nature. By following the recommendations, you can delay this moment as much as possible.
Silver alloy is sensitive to moisture, so it must be protected from it. Take off before going to the shower, bath, bath or gym. Jewelry is not meant to be worn every day, so keep this in mind and only wear it during certain events. Don’t get carried away with cleaning, too much is not healthy.
After cleaning the silver, leave it in the fresh air for at least 1-2 days. This time is enough for the formation of a protective oxide film, which will prevent plaque from quickly returning. You can also use rhodium plating, which preserves the mirror shine and natural color of the product for a long time. The surface is often coated with a protective varnish; in such conditions there is no need to bleach the silver.
Rhodium silver turns black: safe cleaning methods, tips with photos
Plating silver with rhodium, or simply rhodium plating, protects silver from oxidation and blackening, deformation, and also gives the product a purer, whiter shine. Rhodium-plated jewelry has gained considerable popularity in recent years and has become a worthy competitor to gold.
An important point is that rhodium plating is thin and requires careful care, since abrasive particles can remove the rhodium-plated layer and expose the silver to oxidation. It is no longer possible to “save” such a product, only to re-plate it with rhodium at the jeweler.
Gentle cleaning of rhodium-plated silver is the best way to extend the life of your jewelry
Please note that rhodium plated silver may become stained or darkened, but not blackened. If such a product has darkened, you can clean it in two ways:
- Regular light cleaning should be carried out using ordinary damp, lint-free wipes, followed by polishing with felt;
- To thoroughly clean the product, you need polish or wipes for cleaning silver products.
If the silver has turned black because it has been left for a long time without being worn, you can clean it using the above methods. If such methods do not work, then the product is damaged and the rhodium layer has been removed. Take your piece to a jeweler to have it re-plated with rhodium.
In this article, we do not present traditional methods for cleaning silver, since they not only clean the jewelry poorly, but also spoil it. Take care of your silver items carefully and professionally, and they will serve you for many years!
